My comments on CoS

[backstagemystic <idcre@imap2.asu.edu>]

>>Why do you suppose Harry and Draco held their arms and wands 
differently from each other? Snape and Lockhart did, as well. I see 
no logic for one wizard to be pointing his wand at his opponent and 
the other to have his wand above his head as if he's winding up for a 
pitch (although that's exactly what Snape and Malfoy did, right?) Any 
thoughts on the "whys and wherefores" of arm/wand position in 
duelling?<<

I think it was mainly done for the purpose of allowing Rickman and 
Felton (Snape and Draco) to play toward the camera - so they're 
facing it as opposed to having their backs to it. 

However, I'll also add that both looked visually more dynamic casting 
their spells, as opposed to Radcliffe (Harry) - who honestly looked 
almost wooden in his casting.  I just don't recall much in the form 
of wand or body movement from Radcliffe...no "swish and flick" as he 
cast, nor did he really step into it as the other two did.  Rickman 
really leaned into his spell-casting, especially when he cast 
the "Impera Evanesca" (roughly translates to "I command you to 
vanish") on the snake...his low lunge looked like that of a fencer - 
beautiful.

BM